Kotor: Private Blue Cave Tour – Swim & Relax at Your Pace

The best part is having the boat to yourself. This three-hour speedboat trip combines the Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks, and Kotor Bay views without packing you onto a shared boat. I especially like the freedom to pause for photos and the chance to play your own music, details that make this feel more like a private outing than a fixed excursion.

I also like the attentive captains. Past trips have been led by skippers including Marko, Alex, Sergey, Sasha, and Banjo, with praise for their friendly manner and willingness to adjust swim time when conditions allow. The main drawback is the speedboat ride itself: it can feel bumpy or windy, and the Blue Cave swim may need to change or be canceled if the sea is rough.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six people: You get the speedboat and skipper for your own group, which is the main reason this tour offers good value for families and friends.
• Blue Cave swim included: You have about 20 minutes for swimming, provided sea and weather conditions are safe.
• Three major sights in one outing: The route includes Our Lady of the Rocks, former submarine tunnels, and open-water views across Boka Bay.
• Flexible pacing: Your skipper can adjust photo stops and, when possible, give you more time in the water.
• Easy Kotor meeting point: City Park is about 200 meters from the Old Town’s Main Gate and close to the cruise port.
• Bring a towel and light jacket: Summer calls for swimwear and sunscreen, while spring and autumn can be cool on the water.

A private start beside Kotor’s Old Town

The tour begins at City Park, at Park Slobode 1, near the seaside and only a short walk from Kotor’s Old Town. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, leave the ship, pass security, turn left, then turn left again at the small bridge toward the park. Near the water, look for the information desk where the skipper and staff member will meet you.

You should arrive at least 30 minutes early. That cushion matters if you are coming by car, since summer parking around the park can be tight and roadworks may slow traffic on the main road. Large luggage and bags are not allowed on the boat, so leave suitcases at your accommodation or on the ship.

The starting point is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You do not need a long transfer from a hotel or cruise terminal, and you can pair the outing with time in Kotor’s Old Town before or after the boat ride. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the park.

Why the private format changes the day

A private group of up to six pays $261 for the boat, not per person. That works out to about $43.50 each when the boat is full. For six people, that is a strong price for a three-hour private outing with fuel, insurance, water, safety equipment, a licensed captain, and a skipper who also acts as your guide.

For two people, the calculation is different. At $130.50 per person, you are paying for privacy and control rather than the lowest possible fare. I would choose it for a couple marking a special occasion, a family with children, or friends who want to swim and listen to their own music without negotiating every stop with strangers.

The private setup also helps with small practical choices. You can ask for a photo pause when the scenery is right, spend more or less time at a stop when sea conditions permit, and keep the mood quiet or lively. Several captains have allowed groups to play their own music, and some groups brought drinks and snacks onboard. Water is supplied, but you should confirm any extra food or drink plans with the operator.

This is not a luxury yacht cruise. It is a speedboat, and that means wind, spray, engine noise, and a firmer ride. The payoff is that the boat covers more ground than a slow sightseeing boat, allowing the Blue Cave to fit into a three-hour trip from Kotor.

Cruising past Boka Bay’s stone villages

Once you leave Kotor, the route opens into the famous Bay of Kotor, also called Boka Bay. From the water, you see stone villages, old churches, steep mountains, and the shoreline arranged in a series of postcard views. These are not just passing sights on the way to the cave. The cruise itself is a major part of the experience.

The first speedboat leg lasts about 20 minutes before reaching Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast. That gives you enough time to settle into the boat and start taking photographs, but not so much time that the ride becomes tiring. Keep your camera and sunglasses secure. The boat’s motion and wind can make loose items awkward to handle.

Your skipper provides local explanations in English, and an audio guide with written local information is available through a QR code in several languages. You need a smartphone and an internet connection to use it. The live guide is the more useful choice when you want to ask questions or understand what you are seeing at the moment.

Our Lady of the Rocks in a 20-minute stop

The island of Our Lady of the Rocks is the first substantial stop. The boat allows about 20 minutes for a visit, photographs, and a look around. The small island church and museum are optional, so you can decide how to use the time.

If you want to enter the church, bring suitable clothing. Swimwear is not permitted inside, so pack a cover-up rather than stepping straight from the water into the church. Museum admission costs €3 and must be paid in cash. Church and museum hours change by season: they typically close around 17:00 in April, May, September, and October, 18:00 in June, and 19:00 in July and August.

Those hours can change, and the buildings may close earlier on a particular day. The island itself can still be visited if the church or museum is closed. The advertised skip-the-line benefit does not really apply here, since this is a small church where entry is usually quick.

The 20-minute stop is enough for a focused visit, not a long cultural study. I would use it for the island, the views back toward the bay, and a quick church visit if open. If your group cares more about swimming than sightseeing, tell the skipper early so you understand what can be adjusted.

The former submarine tunnels

After Our Lady of the Rocks, the boat makes several short speedboat sections before reaching former submarine tunnels near Kotor. One stop lasts about five minutes for photographs and a quick visit. A second five-minute stop is listed for the same former submarine tunnel area, with sightseeing and more photos.

The repeated tunnel stop appears to give you two brief looks at the former military structures rather than a long interior tour. Expect a photo and sightseeing pause, not a museum visit or extended walk through the tunnels. Five minutes goes quickly, so have your camera ready and listen closely to the skipper’s explanation.

These tunnels add a different mood to the outing. Our Lady of the Rocks is scenic and religious, while the submarine facilities point to Montenegro’s more recent military past. You see both from the water, which is the natural viewpoint for these sites.

Sea conditions may affect the approach. A past outing encountered rough water, and the captain found a pleasant swimming stop at the entrance of a submarine base instead. That is a good example of why the skipper’s judgment matters more than sticking rigidly to a printed schedule.

The Blue Cave swim, conditions permitting

The Blue Cave is the main event. The cave is known for blue reflections in the water, and the tour allows around 20 minutes for swimming and relaxing. If the sea is calm and local rules permit entry, this is when you can get into the water and experience the color from below rather than simply photographing it from the boat.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Snorkeling masks are available subject to supply, and waterproof phone cases may be available for temporary use. The case must be returned, so do not assume you can keep it as a souvenir.

The swim stop is not meant to be a full beach afternoon. Twenty minutes is enough for a refreshing dip and a few photos, but you should not expect a long, leisurely session if your group includes slow swimmers or young children. A past family group received extra swim time when conditions and timing allowed, but this is not guaranteed.

The cave is also the part most affected by weather. The tour can be canceled or rescheduled when sea or weather conditions are unsafe. Even if the boat runs, rough water may change the exact stop or shorten time in the water. I would treat the Blue Cave as the hoped-for highlight, not an absolute promise.

The return ride and the value of the scenery

After the Blue Cave, the return speedboat ride lasts about 70 minutes. That is a substantial stretch on the water, so the quality of the ride matters. You will have time to enjoy the bay views, take more photographs, listen to music, and simply sit back after the swim.

A private boat makes this return easier than it would be on a crowded group excursion. You can talk with your own companions, ask the skipper about sights along the coast, or enjoy some quiet. The boat returns to the same City Park meeting point in Kotor.

The long return also explains why the tour feels active even though the total duration is only three hours. The itinerary includes roughly 20 minutes at Our Lady of the Rocks, two short tunnel stops, and 20 minutes at the Blue Cave, with the rest spent moving between locations. If you want a slow cruise with long stops, choose a longer boat outing. If you want several highlights in one half-day, this pacing makes sense.

Captains make or break the experience

The captain is central to this tour. You are not simply being transported to a cave. The skipper controls the route, explains the sights, manages the boat in changing water, and decides how to handle swimming and photo requests.

Several captains have received especially warm praise. Marko was noted for his music, friendliness, and local explanations. Alex made a daughter’s birthday feel special, while Sergey gave one private group a great deal of personal space and flexibility. Sasha was praised for finding ideal stops, and Banjo was remembered for making the outing happy and comfortable.

Older family feedback also points to useful flexibility. One captain looked after a two-year-old while the adults swam, and another adjusted the timing so a family could spend longer in the water. These details suggest the private format works well for groups with different energy levels, though the speedboat may still feel bumpy for very young children.

You should not expect every skipper to offer exactly the same style. Some groups may prefer commentary and local stories, while others may want music and privacy. Say what you want at the start: more explanation, more quiet, extra photo pauses, or a focus on swimming. The best captains can work with that request when the route and sea allow it.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack light. The boat does not allow luggage or large bags, and you will have limited room for unnecessary items. A small day bag with swimwear, towel, sunscreen, camera, and a light layer is the sensible choice.

The water and sun can make the day feel warm, but speedboats create wind even in summer. In spring and autumn, bring a jacket or warmer layer because the ride can feel chilly. Comfortable shoes are useful for the island stop, especially if you plan to visit the church.

Child-size life jackets are available on request. Standard safety equipment, a first aid kit, and insurance are included. If anyone in your group has back problems, mobility limitations, or is pregnant, this is not a suitable outing. Wheelchair users cannot take part.

How the practical details work

The tour is available in English, with an English-speaking live guide. The QR-code audio guide and written local information add language support, but you need a smartphone with mobile data or Wi-Fi. Onboard Wi-Fi is included, though you should not rely on it as your only way to access essential information.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability. If you miss your scheduled departure, you may be able to join the next available slot if the operator agrees, but arriving early is the safer plan.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 82 reviews, with 98 percent of reviewers giving the transport a perfect score. Those figures fit the strongest pattern in the feedback: people value the boat quality, the private format, and the captains’ friendly approach. They do not remove the basic risks of a sea trip, especially wind, rough water, and a change to the Blue Cave plan.

Should you book this Kotor boat tour?

Book it if you want to see several coastal sights in three hours and you value having your own boat. It is especially good for up to six friends, families, couples celebrating something, and anyone who dislikes crowded excursions. The mix of Our Lady of the Rocks, submarine tunnels, bay scenery, and a possible Blue Cave swim gives you a broad taste of the coast without using a full day.

Think twice if you need a smooth ride, guaranteed cave access, long swimming time, or wheelchair-friendly transport. The $261 price is excellent for six people, fair but more costly for two, and best understood as the price of privacy and flexibility.

For most small groups, I would book it on a day with a good marine forecast, arrive at City Park early, and pack a light cover-up along with your swim gear. That gives you the best chance of enjoying the Blue Cave while still having a worthwhile outing if the captain needs to alter the swimming stop.

FAQ

How long is the private Blue Cave tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including the boat ride from Kotor, sightseeing stops, swimming time, and the return to City Park.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $261 for a private group of up to six people. If six people share the boat, the cost is about $43.50 per person.

Where does the tour meet in Kotor?

It starts at City Park, Park Slobode 1, about 200 meters from the Old Town’s Main Gate and within walking distance of Kotor’s port.

How early should I arrive?

You should be at the meeting point at least 30 minutes before departure. Extra time is sensible if you are driving because summer parking is limited and roadworks may cause delays.

Is swimming at the Blue Cave guaranteed?

No. Swimming is offered when weather, sea conditions, and local regulations allow it. The tour may be changed, rescheduled, or canceled if conditions are unsafe.

Is admission to Our Lady of the Rocks included?

The island visit is included, but optional church and museum tickets are not. Museum admission costs €3 in cash when open.

Can I bring luggage on the boat?

No. Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Bring only a small selection of items for the boat and swim stop.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Child-size life jackets are available on request. The speedboat may feel bumpy for young children, so families should consider the child’s comfort before booking.

Who should not take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.